Newell’s equalize against Rosario Central with the last kick as Di María applauds Messi, keeping a dream alive

Matías Cóccaro’s stoppage-time goal gave Newell’s a 1-1 draw with Rosario Central, rescuing a Rosario derby that offered little football but plenty of tension. The equalizer, awarded after a VAR review, brought some justice to a match that produced 41 fouls and nine yellow cards and never truly deserved a winner.

The most emotional moment came in the 10th minute, when the match stopped under an AFA directive applying to all Argentine football games. Central supporters applauded Lionel Messi, who followed the derby from Miami, but they gave an especially loud ovation to Ángel Di María. On the field, Di María was among those who applauded Messi, his former teammate in some of Argentina’s greatest moments, including their youth and Olympic years.

That scene reopened the dream of Messi wearing Newell’s shirt again. After stepping away from the Argentina national team, the article suggests that his strongest remaining link with Argentine supporters could be a return to La Lepra. Messi has repeatedly said that playing for Newell’s was his childhood dream, while also acknowledging that his life changed after he moved away at 13 and began his professional career at Barcelona.

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As time passes, the desire is always there. I would love to play for Newell’s. It was my childhood dream. But I don’t know what will happen, where I will be or how I will be when the time comes to return.

He has never completely ruled out a return, even though the article says he was not planning to come back to Argentine football and would most likely continue living in Spain after retirement. The question now carries a powerful sporting fantasy: what would Messi mean to Newell’s supporters if he returned and scored the goal that ended their difficult run in the derby?

Central, meanwhile, can look to Di María, whose vision, goals and assists continue to give Argentine football an important attacking presence. Newell’s are relying on 19-year-old Facundo Guch, but the article says the young player remains weighed down by the pressure of recent derbies and Central’s 22-win advantage in the rivalry.

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I always say it: my childhood dream was to play in Newell’s first team and become a professional. Then my life changed completely because I left at 13 and made my debut at Barcelona. I achieved and experienced things I could never have imagined.